Chapter 1.1
A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away…
Disclaimer: Everything you recognize belongs to Disney, Lucasfilm, etc. not me. Obviously.
Naboo System – 34,000 Lightyears from the Core
"Sir," The captain called from the cockpit, "We're nearing the capital."
"Alright, we'll get ready to depart." The jedi master responded before turning back to his companion. The two sat in silence, the older lost in his thoughts, as the younger sat calmly, attempting to meditate.
"Master, is something bothering you?" The younger asked.
"I'm not sure. The force… it is unbalanced. Almost as if something important is about to happen. Something I cannot see."
"We see only what the force wants us to, master. Its ways are mysteries. All we can do is listen to what it tells us."
"You are correct, my padawan. Truly wise beyond your years. I am not concerned with what is to happen, just unsettled. As you say, the force is mysterious, however this is different. It's not that I am unable to see, more like it wants to show me something, yet a thick fog has fallen, hiding the future from me."
"If it is as you say master, I would suggest trying to clear your mind, and focus on the task ahead."
The older jedi turned away from his padawan. "I suppose… for there is nothing more I can do."
-0-
Nute Gunray walked quietly into the room, allowing the door to close before looking around to make sure he was alone. Once he was sure, he walked to the center of the room, activating the hologram projector.
"Minister, I trust everything is in place."
"Yes, Lord Sidious." The Neimoidian croaked. "I must ask again though, is this truly necessary? It will cost the federation much, and if it gets traced back to us…"
"Yes, it is. I would ask that you do not question me again, Neimoidian." Gunray wiped at his neck, suddenly succumbing to the planet's drier climate.
"As you say, my lord." He bowed, before shutting off the projector. The hooded man always struck him as terrifying, though he could never pinpoint why. All he knew is that most terrible things would happen should he fail his master's orders. Gunray sniffed, before straightening up, and raising a comms unit to his mouth. "Are you in place?"
"I am."
-0-
Queen Amidala sat alone in her chambers, having just sent away her handmaidens. If it weren't for the extensive makeup, she was sure that she would be crying. Her planet had been a place of peace for over fifty years, and of course it came less than a year after her coronation. She cursed whoever's idea it had been to elect a young daughter of a noble family to queen. It had worked in their favor for generations now, but Padme didn't feel ready. She wasn't the youngest queen in recent times, but that didn't mean she was old enough to lead her people through a conflict with the Trade Federation.
A knock came at the door, and Padme's head shot up. Quickly, she stood up, and blinked the tears out of her eyes. She checked herself in the mirror once more, before going to the door. It opened, revealing Sabe, one of her most trusted companions.
"My queen, are you ready for the meeting?" Padme looked to her friend, and nodded, though she could tell that Sabe knew that she was not ready. It didn't matter though, she had a duty to fulfill, and no matter what her current mental state, she would not allow anything to come between her and her duty to her people. Sabe turned and led the queen through the halls of the palace, towards the throne room, where the meeting between herself, the Trade Federation, and the Chancellor's mediators would be taking place.
Before long, she came into the hall, being the last to arrive. She saw that opposite her throne was a cluster of chairs, surrounding a table, filled mostly with neimoidians, making up the delegation from the trade federation, though the seat with a placard notating First Minister Gunray was noticeably vacant. Beside her throne were the seats for her own ministers, all standing in her presence. Between stood two figures in robes, who didn't have a seat. She was startled by the realization that the Chancellor had sent jedi to mediate their negotiations, as many in the galaxy considered them to be quite militant, despite their title of peacekeepers.
The Nabooians bowed as she passed, then sat as she took her own throne. "Welcome, delegation from the Trade Federation, as well as our esteemed mediators." She began before nodding across the hall.
"Thank you for hosting us, your highness; and an additional thanks to our mediators. We are ready to begin when you are." One of the neimoidians, Viceroy Haako, if Padme recognized correctly.
"Now that that is out of the way," the older jedi began, "allow us to introduce ourselves. I am jedi master Qui-Gon Jinn, this is my padawan Obi-Wan Kenobi." The man motioned to the other jedi, as he began the meeting in earnest.
-0-
Obi-Wan was not usually one to complain. He was known to have excellent control over his thoughts and emotions, though he himself didn't quite agree with the assessment. These negotiations however, were duly monotonous, and could be described only as painful to mediate. The way he saw it, the queen wanted nothing more than for the Trade Federation to leave her people alone, though Obi-Wan could sense a great deal of conflict within her.
Meanwhile her advisors and the Trade Federation seemed to want noting more than to propagate accusations and threats towards the other. They truly were politicians. The only thing that kept Obi-Wan sane through the process was his connection through the force. He had been able to pick up what Qui-Gon had been talking about on the ship, the feeling of unnatural blindness when it came to their foresight. It was truly as unsettling as his master has described, as if a thick fog had descended around them.
"It is utterly ridiculous, that we have to sit here and listen to these baseless accusations!" Viceroy Hakko yelled, "What is the point of you mediators, if not to keep discussion civil!" He continued, turning his focus on Qui-Gon." Obi-Wan sensed a feeling from his master, like a deep desire to let out a sigh, but he didn't, instead opening his mouth to speak. No sooner had this happened though before he stopped. Obi-Wan's feelings on his master's thoughts were suddenly overwhelmed by a premonition of destruction. He saw that his master felt the same, and saw Qui-Gon immediately move towards the queen.
"Everyone, out!" He screamed, moving towards the Viceroy. It was too late though, no sooner had he begun to move than a massive shockwave of flame ripped through the Trade Federation's delegation. The last thing Obi-Wan remembered was feeling the screams of the dead delegation's life being ripped from their bodies, before he lost consciousness himself.
-0-
Minister Gunray closed his eyes for a moment as he felt the shockwaves from the explosion through the palace's floors. When he opened his eyes, he knew that he was now the Viceroy of the Trade Federation, it's highest-ranking member, and thinking back to Lord Sidious' instructions, he knew what he had to do next. The explosion would've certainly taken out the Federation's delegation, and likely the Chancellor's mediators, whoever they were, but it was very carefully planned to not take out the queen or her delegation.
He picked up his comms unit, "Come in, come in." The unit buzzed to life as he received a response.
"Minister Gunray? What's wrong?"
"There has been an attack, I am the only surviving member of our delegation. We must move up our plans. Begin the invasion."
"As you command, Viceroy."
-0-
Queen Amidala was terrified. Here she was, a fourteen-year-old girl, who was now leading a planet against an invasion force. She could see out the windows as Federation transports descended from the blockade en masse. She didn't know where the explosion had come from, though she was disappointed to not be able to rule out the possibility that one of her own people had been the one to place the bomb among the Federation's delegation.
As soon as the dust had cleared, a force of seemingly her entire security detail had entered and surrounded her, not even letting her advisors near her. After a few moments, she convinced them (ordered them) to allow the jedi near her, and they complied, though they were adamant about keeping the advisors away.
"Queen Amidala." The elder jedi, Qui-Gon, greeted solemnly. "We should get you off the planet. If the Federation were to capture you, that could spell the end for your people's freedom." Padme noticed some confusion on the face of the younger jedi, but ignored it as she considered the elder's words.
"I will not leave my people to the Federation's tyranny." She decided, speaking with as much confidence as she could muster.
"I understand your sentiments, but there is little you can do from here." The jedi looked around, before continuing, "With the exception of your security forces and the local police forces, your people have no defense. Your best hope would be returning to Coruscant, and pleading your case before the senate."
"The senate is rife with corruption, and wouldn't help anyways. The Trade Federation holds too much power." Just as Padme finished her statement, the palace shook with an explosion.
"My queen!" Captain Panaka shouted. "We really should be getting you out of here." Padme looked sorrowfully at the jedi master.
"I know the senate is far from the ideal solution to the issue, but you have very few options."
Padme lost herself in thought for a moment, before making up her mind. "Fine, we will go to Coruscant, and you will help me get the senate's assistance on forcing the Trade Federation to back down."
Empty Space – 36,000 Lightyears from the Core
Padme looked back at her planet with sorrow. Its beauty was still present, though it was mired by the blockade of Federation battleships surrounding it. The journey off world had been difficult, both physically, and mentally, but she knew that she had made the right decision. She would go to the senate and she would make them help her people, corruption and beaurocracy be damned.
"Master Jedi, Queen Amidala." A technician that had made it off world with them ran into the room, "During our escape the hyperdrive was damaged. We will be able to stay in hyperspace for now but we're heading away from Coruscant, and once we exit hyperspace, we won't be able to re-enter without repairs."
"What is the closest planet to our route, not under Federation control?"
The technician checked a computer before responding, "That would be Tatooine, it's a bit of a backwater, but they would have the necessary parts."
"Then that's where we'll go."
Coruscant – 10,000 Lightyears from the Core
"Maul?" A cloaked figure asked into a holo-projector. "Do you have the queen's location?"
"Not yet master, but I have a tracker on the ship, as soon as they exit hyperspace, I'll have it."
"Good – very good." The figure turned off the projector and sat back in his chair, letting a small smile come across his face. All was going according to plan.
Author's Notes:
That's chapter one. I know it's pretty short, but it's based off a movie, not a book so that's fine, the future chapters should be longer. As those of you who know Latin have probably figured out, this story will follow the tragic arc of Anakin Skywalker, who I firmly believe to be the main character of the franchise. (Feel free to argue, but you probably won't change my mind).
Posting will be sporadic at best, I'm pretty busy right now and this is pretty much at the bottom of my list as far as importance. Feel free to leave any messages or reviews, criticism/feedback is welcome. Thanks for reading.